Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development
February 2024
Floods in Sistan and Baluchestan; Hundreds of Villages Surrounded and the Situation of Over 110,000 People Becomes Critical
Torrential rains in Sistan and Baluchestan have resulted in the flooding of hundreds of villages, affecting over 110,000 people and causing significant infrastructure damage. Local…
Israeli Airstrikes in Syria and Lebanon; Arab Sources Report Deaths of Iranian Proxy Forces
Israeli airstrikes in Syria and Lebanon resulted in the deaths of Iranian proxy forces and civilians. This escalation involves Hezbollah and raises tensions in the…
Director General of the Islamic Republic's Foreign Ministry: We are planning for Moein's return to Iran; a lawyer: He faces 28 years in prison
The Iranian Foreign Ministry is planning for the return of singer Moein, who faces significant prison time upon his return. This comes amid efforts to…
Judiciary: Punishment for Violating Mandatory Hijab is 'Final and Non-Appealable'; Sina Yousefi: It's an Extralegal Interpretation of the Law
The Iranian Judiciary has declared that punishments for violating mandatory hijab are final and non-appealable, which legal expert Sina Yousefi argues is an extralegal interpretation…
Raisi's Deputy Admits Regarding 'Hirmand Water Rights': 'Nothing Has Happened'
Iranian officials, including Ebrahim Raisi's deputy, have acknowledged that no progress has been made regarding the water rights of the Hirmand River, despite ongoing discussions…
UN Officials: 576,000 Residents of Gaza on the Brink of Famine
UN officials report that 576,000 residents of Gaza are facing famine, while Israeli officials deny any restrictions on humanitarian aid. The situation is critical, with…
New Organization of the U.S. Army; Pentagon Prepares for 'Large-Scale Wars'
The U.S. Army is reducing its workforce by 24,000 personnel to better prepare for future large-scale combat operations while addressing recruitment challenges. This reorganization focuses…
The 'Koocha' Festival of Bushehr Residents Canceled Due to 'Governmental Pressure'; Closing Ceremony Abolished
The Koocha music festival in Bushehr was abruptly canceled, with organizers suggesting governmental pressure as a likely reason. The event had gained attention for its…
Two Years After Death in Prison; Lawyer of Sasan Niknaf: Court Found Two Doctors of Fashafouyeh Prison Responsible for My Client's Death
Sasan Niknaf, a political prisoner who died in Fashafouyeh Prison, was found to have had his death caused by negligence from prison doctors, who were…
Continued Wage Arrears for 2,700 Workers at Sadra Bushehr: We Haven't Received Our Salaries for Months, No One is Accountable
Around 2,700 workers at Iran Marine Industrial Company (Sadra) in Bushehr have not received their salaries for 3 to 4 months, leading to protests and…
Kurdistan Human Rights Network: Three prisoners accused of 'spying for Israel' were tortured before execution
Three Kurdish prisoners accused of spying for Israel were tortured before their execution in Iran. Despite claims of potential pardon, they were executed without notice,…
Parliament Research Center: 55% of Iranians Over 65 Have Lost All Their Teeth
A report from the Iranian Parliament's Research Center reveals that 55% of Iranians over 65 have lost all their teeth, with significant dental issues also…
Slovakia: Several NATO and EU Members Considering Sending Troops to Ukraine
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that some NATO and EU countries are considering sending troops to Ukraine, although Slovakia will not participate. This meeting…
Warning from Two Cultural Figures: Nazari: People Have Been Deprived of 'Everything', Nasirian: Space for 'Human Life' is Very Limited
Two prominent Iranian cultural figures, Ali Nasirian and Shahram Nazari, expressed deep concerns about the psychological state of society and the cultural decline in Iran.…
Deputy Minister of Labor Admits: We Have Statistical Limitations in the Area of Social Damages Among Workers
The Deputy Minister of Labor in Iran has acknowledged significant statistical limitations regarding social damages among workers, highlighting outdated data and a lack of new…
Russian Officials Handed Over Alexei Navalny's Body to His Mother
Russian officials have returned the body of opposition leader Alexei Navalny to his mother amidst accusations from his widow against President Putin. The incident has…
Yulia Navalnaya to Russian Authorities: Return Alexei Navalny's Body to His Family
Yulia Navalnaya has demanded the return of her husband Alexei Navalny's body from Russian authorities, accusing Putin of holding it hostage. Navalny's suspicious death in…
Blinken: Construction of New Housing Units in the West Bank is 'Contrary to International Law'
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed disappointment over Israel's plan to construct 3,000 new housing units in the West Bank, stating it contradicts international…
Court Says No to 'ISIS Bride'; Shamima Begum Loses British Citizenship
Shamima Begum, a British woman who joined ISIS, has lost her citizenship after her appeal was rejected by UK courts. The ruling highlights ongoing debates…
Iranian Writers Association: Mother Tongue is Part of Freedom of Expression
The Iranian Writers Association issued a statement on International Mother Language Day asserting that the mother tongue is integral to freedom of expression. They condemned…
Farewell to a Legend; Andreas Brehme, Star of German Football, Passes Away at 63
Andreas Brehme, the legendary German footballer who scored the winning goal in the 1990 World Cup final, has died suddenly at the age of 63…
Atifeh Chaharmahalian's Case Closed
Atifeh Chaharmahalian, a poet and member of the Iranian Writers' Association, announced that her legal case has been closed after a review with her lawyer.…
Sepideh Gholian: International Communities Must Be the Voice of Civil Society; the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' Movement Will Not Sleep
Sepideh Gholian, a political prisoner, calls on international communities to support civil society in Iran and emphasizes the ongoing 'Woman, Life, Freedom' movement. She highlights…
UN Secretary-General: Taliban Set Unacceptable Conditions for Participation in Doha Meeting
The UN Secretary-General announced that the Taliban set unacceptable conditions for attending a consultative meeting in Doha regarding Afghanistan, leading to their absence. The meeting…
Concerns Raised Over Resident Suicides and Criticism of Health Ministry for Keeping Statistics Confidential
Concerns have been raised regarding the alarming suicide rates among medical residents in Iran, with at least 16 reported suicides in the past year. Criticism…
Netanyahu Accuses Critics of Weakening Israel in War with Hamas; Vows to Enter Rafah Even if a Deal is Reached
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has accused critics of undermining Israel's military efforts against Hamas, asserting that military action in Rafah will continue regardless of potential…
Drought Destroys 95% of Pastures in Fars Province; Causes 'One Trillion Tomans' in Damages to Nomads
Drought has severely impacted Fars Province, destroying 95% of pastures and causing one trillion tomans in damages to the nomadic community. Approximately 30,000 nomadic households…
Hungarian Prime Minister Gives Green Light to Parliament for Sweden's NATO Membership Approval
Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban announced that the Hungarian parliament could approve Sweden's NATO membership soon, resolving long-standing disputes between the two countries. This approval…
Transformation of the Archaeological Institute into 'Wisdom Studies'; A Researcher: They Have Wasted Six Decades of Scientific Work
The Archaeological Institute of Tehran University has been repurposed into an Institute of Wisdom Studies, sparking outrage among archaeologists and academics. Ehsan Shorabi criticized the…
Constructive Talks Between Two Superpowers; US and China Foreign Ministers Negotiated in Munich
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held constructive talks in Munich, addressing key issues such as Taiwan, the South…
Biden: Putin is Responsible for Alexei Navalny's Death
Joe Biden has publicly blamed Vladimir Putin for the death of Alexei Navalny, a prominent Russian opposition leader who died in prison. Biden emphasized Navalny's…
Death of Alexei Navalny, Putin's Most Prominent Opponent, in Prison; Navalny's Aide: He Was Killed
Alexei Navalny, a leading opposition figure against Vladimir Putin, died in prison under suspicious circumstances, with claims from his aides suggesting he was killed. The…
Joe Biden Emphasizes 'Tireless Efforts' for Hostage Release in Phone Call with Netanyahu
U.S. President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to securing the release of hostages held by Hamas in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who…
Deteriorating Health of Manouchehr Bakhtiari in Prison Due to Urinary Obstruction and Severe Blood Pressure Drop
Manouchehr Bakhtiari, a political prisoner and father of justice-seeker Pouya Bakhtiari, is reported to be in critical health in prison due to urinary obstruction and…
Israeli Officials Reject Idea of a 'Palestinian State'
Israeli officials, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have rejected the idea of a Palestinian state, responding to a Washington Post report about U.S. plans for…
US: The likelihood of inviting Ukraine to join NATO at the upcoming summit is low
The US ambassador to NATO indicated that Ukraine is unlikely to receive an invitation to join NATO at the upcoming summit in July, despite its…
Exclusive; Disappearance of the Child of a Political Prisoner; Suri Babaei Ghegini Granted Leave After Signing a Commitment
Suri Babaei Ghegini, a political prisoner in Iran, was granted a 10-day leave after her daughter Aida Morad Behrouzi went missing for 13 days. Judicial…
British Foreign Secretary Says Israel's Battle in Rafah Must Stop
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron called for an immediate halt to Israel's military actions in Rafah, where many Palestinian civilians are at risk. The situation…
Europe's Increased Dependence on Norwegian Energy Raises Concerns Over Sabotage in the Country's Facilities
Norway's energy facilities are increasingly vulnerable to sabotage due to Europe's growing dependence on its oil and gas, as highlighted by Lars Christian Amundsen of…
Summoning Mahdokht Damghani Pour, Lawyer of Mohammad Qabadi Lou, to the Media Prosecutor's Office; Amir Reisiian: Our Invitation Was for a Debate
Amir Reisiian, lawyer for executed protester Mohammad Qabadi Lou, announced the summoning of colleague Mahdokht Damghani Pour to the media prosecutor's office after inviting the…
The Hidden Consequences of Inflation; After Meat and Nuts on Installments, 'Clothing on Installments' Arrives in the Pre-New Year Market
As inflation continues to rise in Iran, various sectors are now offering essential goods like clothing on installment plans, reflecting the economic strain on households.…
Biden and Some Western Officials Criticize Trump's Statements on NATO
U.S. President Joe Biden and Western officials criticized Donald Trump's recent comments about NATO, asserting that he would only protect allies from Russian aggression if…
Biden Criticizes Food Companies in the U.S. for Shrinking Product Sizes
President Biden criticized U.S. snack manufacturers for engaging in 'shrinkflation,' where product sizes are reduced to maintain prices. He urged companies to stop this practice,…
Islamic Republic Border Forces Shot at Two Kolbers After Their Arrest
Two kolbers, Yousef and Farzad, were shot and injured by Islamic Republic border forces after their arrest in Baneh. This incident marks the third shooting…
Pakistani Army Calls Elections Successful; Global Community Demands Transparency
The Pakistani Army declared the recent parliamentary elections successful, while both Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan claim victory amidst allegations of electoral irregularities. The international…
German Chancellor's Visit to Washington; Middle East Conflicts and Aid to Ukraine at the Center of Discussions
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Washington to support U.S. aid for Ukraine amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Scholz emphasized the importance of continued…
Iran's Diving Pioneer Returns to International Stage; Taghi Asgari Dives at 100 Years Old
Taghi Asgari, known as the father of diving in Iran, has returned to the international diving scene at the age of 100, participating in competitions…
Ukraine and Russia Claim to Have Shot Down Each Other's Drones
Ukraine and Russia both claim to have shot down each other's drones amid ongoing conflict. President Zelensky has replaced military leader General Zaluzhny with General…
A UN Committee Accuses Russia of Violating the Rights of Ukrainian Children
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has accused Russia of violating the rights of Ukrainian children through excessive use of explosives and…
China's Government Intensifies Pressure on Human Rights Activists and Their Associates
Li Qiaochu, a Chinese feminist activist, has been sentenced to over three years in prison, seen as retaliation by the Chinese government against those connected…
Zelensky Dismisses Commander of Ukrainian Army
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed General Valery Zaluzhny as the commander of the army, appointing General Alexander Syrsky as his replacement. This significant change…
Exclusive | Disappearance of the Child of a Political Prisoner; Prosecutor's Pressure on Soori Babaei: 'Freedom with Ankle Brace' in Exchange for Regret
Aida Morad Behrouzi, the daughter of political prisoner Soori Babaei, has been missing for over a week after leaving for school. The prosecutor has pressured…
UN Secretary-General: The World Has Entered an 'Era of Chaos'
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declared that the world is in an 'era of chaos,' highlighting widespread anger and conflict. He called for urgent reforms in…
Iraq Condemns the Elimination of the Commander of 'Kata'ib Hezbollah' in the Heart of Baghdad; An American Official: Iraq Was Unaware of This Attack
The Iraqi government condemned a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad that killed a senior commander of Kata'ib Hezbollah, claiming it undermines U.S.-Iraq relations. An American official…
UN Secretary-General Expresses Concern Over Expansion of Israeli Operations in Rafah, Southern Gaza
The UN Secretary-General raised alarms about the worsening humanitarian situation in Rafah, Gaza, due to Israeli military operations. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed…
Hamas Spokesman Announces Delegation's Trip to Egypt to Pursue Three-Phase Ceasefire Plan
Hamas announced a delegation will travel to Egypt to discuss a three-phase ceasefire plan after Israel's Prime Minister rejected it. The plan includes releasing hostages…
Zelensky Issues Order to Establish Separate Military Unit for Drones in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ordered the establishment of a separate military unit for drones, highlighting their critical role in the ongoing conflict with Russia.…
Suspended Death Sentence Issued for Australian Writer in China on Espionage Charges
Yang Hengjun, an Australian writer, has been sentenced to a suspended death penalty in China on espionage charges, threatening the recently improving relations between Australia…
Exclusive; Nouri-Zad Sentenced to 61 Months in Prison and His Revelations about the 'Theft' by Mojtaba Khamenei, Qalibaf, and His Son
Mohammad Nouri-Zad, a political prisoner, has been sentenced to an additional 61 months in prison for speaking out against corruption among Iranian officials, specifically naming…
World Cancer Day; Dr. Kordasti: Focusing on Cancer Prevention is Crucial for Countries like Iran
On World Cancer Day, Dr. Shahram Kordasti highlighted the importance of cancer prevention in Iran, where cancer rates are expected to double by 2050 compared…
Nationwide Protests in Germany Against the Right-Wing Party 'Alternative for Germany' Enter Fourth Week
Nationwide protests against the far-right 'Alternative for Germany' party have entered their fourth week, with around 150,000 participants primarily in Berlin. Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized…
UN: Al-Qaeda and Taliban Assist in Executing Terrorist Attacks in Pakistan
The UN report reveals that Al-Qaeda has set up training camps in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan and is aiding the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in executing attacks against…
Hungary Aligns with the European Union: Ukraine Receives $54 Billion in Financial Aid
EU leaders have agreed to provide Ukraine with a significant financial aid package after overcoming Hungary's objections. This decision highlights the ongoing tensions within the…